A cherry valley oil change is usually a simple process. But there are a few things that you should always keep in mind if you want everything to go down quick and hopefully not as messy. Experienced mechanics already know these by heart, so the tips are mostly for car owners who prefer to DIY car maintenance form time to time:
Cool Down Before Getting a Cherry Valley Oil Change
Let your engine cool down a bit before changing oil. We understand the principle behind letting the engine run hot first – hot oil flows better than cold oil, but an oil change while the oil is very hot could lead to serious injuries. The sweet spot is to fire the engine up and let it run for 2 to 3 minutes. The oil will reach approximately 100C at this point. At this temperature, the oil is hot enough to flow freely but not so hot that it will burn you immediately.
Don?t Forget to Use Safety Gear
Don?t try to do everything bare-handed, as that is simply asking for trouble. Make sure you have the following basic gear at the very least:
- Rubber gloves – this is not meant to protect you from getting scalded by hot oil (the previous tip addresses that risk). It?s meant to keep your grip firm while wrenching.
- Clean towels – this can help you quickly remove any oil that spills on your hands.
- Eye protection – full on goggles might be overkill, and could even be counterproductive. But your regular pair of eye glasses could be a great help in preventing errant oil from getting into your eyes.
- Drain pan – the job will be extremely messy if you don?t have a drain pan to catch all the nasty oil. The best kind is the funnel top, since the oil will be fully covered.
Don?t Let a Cherry Valley Oil Change Filter Remain Dry
A common mistake among novices is that they leave the filter seal dry. It may seem fine at first, but this will eventually lead to the filters leaking, getting loose, and unthreading by itself. The trick is to fill the filter halfway through with oil, then spread a little around the seal before installation.
Reinstall the Plug Before Pouring New Oil
People who already know what they are doing and have been doing it for a long time tend to skip this step. If you are a novice, you should make a point to re-install the plug and doublecheck if it?s tight before pouring new oil into the engine. You can use a torque wrench and your vehicle manual for the spec. The typical spec for most cars is 25 foot-pounds lbs.
Get the Services of a Professional Cherry Valley Oil Change Shop
Last but not the least, you need to learn if you have bitten off more than you can chew. There are times when you simply need to leave it to the professionals. Maybe it?s because you?re pressed for time or you?re simply not confident that you did a thorough job. In these cases, you should contact a reputable Cherry Valley Oil Change shop like Davies Auto Care. Call us today and we?ll do our best to help you.
